Today, we have almost given up the words “genius” or “natural talent” to describe artists. Artists also don’t use splendid techniques or unique literacy or theology to mark their characters. In examples of avant-garde, where “everyone is artists”, or “art is life, life is art”, not only expand the boundary of the arts, but also speaks of the dying of “geniuses”.
After the success in attracting local art circle’s attention in the 10th Docks Art Fair while working with Olivier Houg Galerie, Le Centre Culturel de Taiwan à Paris work with them again in La Biennale de Lyon in 2011; using the platform of Biennale to present to international artists and professionals the important contemporary artworks from Taiwan.
We feel threatened in our living environment, because the rules of the game are all against us. We strive to change but don’t know how. The reality is that the enemies are partly within us.
“Annual”, a quantitive word that can be both short and long, rapid and slow. It is both a short time, and a lasting time. In this noun that seems to be extremely past-tense, but also future-tense, it is about how individual’s point of view or viewpoint responds to the issues (events, sites) of the world. This exhibition happens in September 2011...
Chiu Chen-Hung’s art-making is like an archeological adventure. Digging in specific field in the time he lives in. These specific field comes from a faraway image of eternity, or something close-by that is disappearing.
Open Contemporary Art Center is pleased to announce I Was in the Arctic, the first solo exhibition in Taiwan by New York-based artist TENG Chao-Ming. Last year TENG was selected to participate in the Arctic Circle, an annual artist residency/expedition, run by New York’s Farm Foundation for the Arts and Sciences. I Was in the Arctic shows two new works completed during the trip by TENG.
These images were extracted from our common media such as film, television, newspaper and magazines, with an image of a negative utopian. Using plastic transformation, these images became unrooted paranoia murmurs. This is the core question from his drawing practice, “what is the linguistic activation in drawings?”.
Alternative Space? Artist-run Space?
Alright, so today we have reached an understanding that “alternative space” has merely a historical connotation left, whereas “artist-run space” cuts directly to the chase, but still nothing is explained through these terms. We suggest a temporary halt on the investigation of terminology. The significance lies in what we do, what we did and what we will be doing next.
So what have you been up to?
In short, we practice art and curate exhibitions. When able, we also organize forums, launch publications and initiate projects for international artistic exchange. If you haven’t the time to read the brief introduction on the back, all you need to remember is this: our job is to generate new dialogues between art and the public and to offer the world something different for a change, or at the very least, we try our best when making mistakes.
Why not simply focus on practicing art?
It’s not that simple. In fact, there is no such thing as simply practicing art. Contemporary art and its viewers have broken away from the monotonous relationship of simply paying a visit to the museum. Whether people are aware of it or not, art has undoubtedly permeated into every aspect of our lives. Therefore, a genuine art practitioner would not shy away when met face to face with genuine public issues. We simply want to do it better.
Where does your funding come from?
Unemployment subsidies. That was a joke. We operate with funds which come from our own pockets and occasional help from limited government funding—translation: we are often short of cash.
Are all members artists?
We were founded as an artist-based organization, but are delighted to have recruited more and more members from interdisciplinary professions in recent years. As for the artists, you may still catch a glimpse of them from time to time carrying a spear and shield, riding a scrawny horse and followed around by a fox hound.
Can I join?
Certainly, you are most welcome to join us. Please note, however, this is not a recruitment ad. Despite our wish to recruit more like-minded friends, we hope that all potential members first try to understand our situation before participating in anything. Acknowledgement of the process is in itself an important form of participation, which means that everything you imagine could be possible. In other words, we would love your attention starting from now.
How does one follow you?
This is an important question but extremely easy to achieve. Simply follow these steps:
(1) like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/opencontemporary
(2) e-mail us at ocac2010@gmail.com;
(3) visit us and chat with us whenever
you’re free. You may even receive a cup of freshly brewed coffhee.
Do you accept donations?
Please don’t ask, just act!
